In honor of Women’s History Month, we are spotlighting women around us who are making strides in the tech industry every day. Today, we spoke with Lauren Nutt Bello, President of Ready Set Rocket, and asked her questions about her experience and perspective on being a woman leader in the tech industry.
Abeo: How do you manage being both a business leader and mom?
Lauren: For me, it’s all about prioritization and setting boundaries. In a lot of ways, becoming a mom made me much more respectful of my own time — because time wasted didn’t just mean a late night anymore, it meant more time away from my kids. From a work perspective, every day I assess and prioritize everything on my plate from an urgency and value standpoint, this gives me an objective way to decide what to take on, what to delegate and what can be pushed off. I also plan my days around a set schedule that ensures I have real time with my boys before and after work, and if I need to work after they’ve gone to bed I’ve planned for that. For me, time management and mastering prioritization is key to striking a healthy balance and having the headspace necessary to lead a team.
Abeo: Is there a particular woman leader that you look up to and are inspired by?
Lauren: My grandmother was a huge source of inspiration for me. She wasn’t an industry leader or big name, but she was a career woman who was unapologetic about her aspirations and her expectation for equality at home. She was part of a household where both she and her husband (my grandfather) worked, and they split all housework and childcare down the middle. She wasn’t afraid to share her perspective, no matter the audience, but did so with a perfect mix of assertiveness and empathy that helped her to charm any room and own any conversation. Given the culture of guilt, and “invisible” unpaid work so many working women have to take on because of ingrained double standards, I always felt very lucky to have such a strong role model and source of inspiration growing up and into adulthood.
My grandmother was a huge source of inspiration for me. She wasn't an industry leader or big name, but she was a career woman who was unapologetic about her aspirations and her expectation for equality at home.
Abeo: What advice would you give to a woman considering a career in the tech industry? What do you wish you had known?
Lauren: I hear so many women talk about how they’re hesitant to apply for a job in tech because they don’t understand code or development, or don’t think they’re tech-savvy enough. To me, the most important thing anyone working in tech needs to have is an understanding of the person who will use the technology — their needs, their mindset and what problem you’re looking to solve for them. You can learn about new technologies and methodologies as you go, as long as you have a natural curiosity that knowledge will continue to grow with exposure. But, if you’re able to remind everyone to pull out of the weeds and remember the person you’re creating the experience for, get in their heads, and help to be a filter for solving the right problems — you will always be able to add value.
In an industry that is predominantly male, we as women have come a long way. At Abeo, we continue to be inspired by those that make strides every day towards equality for women in the tech industry and beyond. We want to thank Lauren for sharing her perspective and story with us – we are truly inspired by her words.
Are there women in tech that you are inspired by? Let us know!